As mentioned in the introductory section, the Bribery Act superseded all UK bribery laws in effect before July 2011.  It is worth noting, though that UK enforcement authorities have used the Prevention of Corruption Act 1906, as amended, to prosecute bribery and corruption since it came into force in January 1907.  That statute made it an offense for a person to “corruptly give [. . .] or agree [. . .] to give or offer [. . .] any gift or consideration to any agent as an inducement or reward for doing or forbearing to do [. . .] any act in relation to his principal’s affairs or business, or for showing or forbearing to show favour or disfavour to any person in relation to his principal’s affairs or business.”

Under the Prevention of Corruption Act, a prosecutor had to prove that the gift or consideration was given “corruptly” to an agent to induce or stop him or her from performing any act in relation to his/her principal’s business.